Welcome to the First Annual Michigan Herpetological Symposium

Welcome to the
First Annual
Michigan
Herpetological
Symposium
Brought to you by the Michigan Chapter of Partners in Amphibian
and Reptile Conservation (MIPARC)
Possible thanks to the generous support of these organizations:
First Annual Michigan Herpetological Symposium AGENDA
Friday, February 20th, 2009
9-9:30am
Registration/Breakfast
9:30-10am
Intro to MIPARC/MWPARC/PARC
10-Noon
Topic
An overview of the Current status and Trends in
Amphibians and Reptiles in Michigan
Zoo's Involvement in Herp Conservation
The Eastern Foxsnake: conservation and
management implications of habitat use at two study
sites in Michigan
Status of the Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis
sexlineata) in Michigan
First State Record of the Northern Two-lined
Salamander in Michigan
Michigan Turtles: An Update
Noon(ish)-1pm
1-1:15pm
Edi Sonntag, MSU
Speaker
David Mifsud, HRM
Becky Johnson, Detroit Zoological Institute
Kile Kucher and Alicia Selden, Central Michigan
University
Teresa Yoder, U of M- Flint
Nicole Soderberg, U of M - Flint
Jim Harding, MSU
Lunch Served
Group Breakout Session Instructions
1:15-2:00pm
Outbreak Sessions
2:00-2:30pm
Break and Exhibit Tour
2:30-4:00pm
Wrap-up
Edi Sonntag
Rachel Mifsud (HRM), Bill Flanagan (GVSU), YuMan Lee
(MNFI)
David Mifsud/Edi Sonntag
•There is a donation jar on the registration table if you
would be interested in assisting us with supporting
MIPARC.
•Please fill out the database information sheet. We
will only share this information with others in the
organization if you agree (last question). The purpose
of this sheet is to create a database of experts in
Michigan that can be accessed by managers and
others to help coordinate efforts and utilize resources
wisely.
•You will be receiving an email from us next week to
ask for your feedback through a Survey Monkey
survey, please take a few minutes to help us improve
the next meeting
•The breakout groups in the afternoon will cover
three broad topics (Research, Education, and
Management)
•The goal of the breakout groups is to identify and
prioritize the needs for improving herp conservation
in Michigan, please contribute your unique
perspective and experience.
•During the afternoon break, you will have a chance
to visit the Snakes and Lizards ALIVE exhibit here at
the center, please take advantage of this opportunity,
but please also come back  The exhibit is $8 per
person.
What is PARC?
•Federal Agencies
•State Agencies
•Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
•Researchers/Academics
•Industry
•Hobbyists/enthusiasts/anyone!
•YOU!
Mission
“To conserve amphibians, reptiles, and
their habitats as integral parts of our
ecosystem and culture through proactive
and coordinated public/private
partnerships.”
Organizational Plan
State Working Groups
Federal Coordinator
•Ernie Garcia ([email protected])
•US Fish & Wildlife Service
•“PARC Federal Agencies Coordinator”
•Federal Agencies Steering Committee (FASC)
State Coordinator
•Pryia Mitchell ([email protected])
•Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
•“Amphibian & Reptile Coordinator, State Liaison to PARC”
•New! Amphibian & Reptile Subcommittee
The PARC Model for Conservation
Product 1:
Issues, scientific
principles,
stakeholders, etc.
Stakeholders, etc.
Materials
Collaborate across
disciplines and
affiliations to research
and develop materials
for print, web, etc.
Following up:
Product 3:
Product 2:
Product revision,
certification
enforcement,
continuing education,
etc.
Rewards, Incentives...
Certification,
accreditation, branding,
signage, MOUs, etc.
Trainings/
Conferences:
Collaborate across
disciplines and
affiliations to develop
live trainings based on
materials or
conferences on key
issues
Identify:
Romance:
A SUBSET of the Partners
Represented by 2 co-chairs on National Steering Committee:
•Greg Lipps ([email protected])
•Karen Kinkead ([email protected])
Michigan PARC
•First State Chapter!
Goals:
•Focus on State level needs and issues with an
eye on the Regional and National Situation
•Involve stakeholders in their own backyard –
encourage ownership and responsibility
•Identify and connect needs and resources
•Build a network of herpetologist and managers–
encourage communication and collaboration
Habitat Management
Guidelines
•Practical
• “Maximizing Compatibility” vs. “Ideal”
• User-friendly
• Peer-reviewed and Based on sound science
MW Guidelines
due out this
Summer!
Inventory &
Monitoring
Handbook
•Peer-recommended
Techniques
•Forest Servicefunded
•“Rapid” vs.
“Comprehensive”
•Species X Techniques
Table
In Review (see PARC Website: http://www.parcplace.org/inventory_monitoring)
National Taskforce Teams
Important Herp Areas – Identify Priority
Areas/Habitat
•Criteria and Implementation Plan
•Regional (or State) Implementation
Road Task Force
•Partnering with transportation entities
RRTH
(Relocation, Reintroduction, Translocation, Headstarting)
•Guidelines
Regional Taskforce Teams
Herps and Fire
•Developing a well researched, comprehensive white
paper discussing issues of burn management and herps
Raccoons and Herps
•Investigating the impacts of raccoons on herps and
management options
Herps in Education
•Guidelines for Educators on how to use herps as
education resources
Herps of the Midwest Website (up and running!)
•Interactive website with information on regional species
Michigan Taskforce Teams
We hope to identify these needs today –
suggestions welcome and this afternoon we want to
hear them!
Questions?
Thanks to:
All the Sponsors
Pryia Mitchell (PARC),
Sue Sonntag (Caterer),
YuMan Lee, Bill Flanagan, Rachel Mifsud, All
our great Speaker, and everyone who helped
make this meeting happen
First Annual Michigan Herpetological Symposium AGENDA
Friday, February 20th, 2009
9-9:30am
Registration/Breakfast
9:30-10am
Intro to MIPARC/MWPARC/PARC
10-Noon
Topic
An overview of the Current status and Trends in
Amphibians and Reptiles in Michigan
Zoo's Involvement in Herp Conservation
The Eastern Foxsnake: conservation and
management implications of habitat use at two study
sites in Michigan
Status of the Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis
sexlineata) in Michigan
First State Record of the Northern Two-lined
Salamander in Michigan
Michigan Turtles: An Update
Noon(ish)-1pm
1-1:15pm
Edi Sonntag, MSU
Speaker
David Mifsud, HRM
Becky Johnson, Detroit Zoological Institute
Kile Kucher and Alicia Selden, Central Michigan
University
Teresa Yoder, U of M- Flint
Nicole Soderberg, U of M - Flint
Jim Harding, MSU
Lunch Served
Group Breakout Session Instructions
1:15-2:00pm
Outbreak Sessions
2:00-2:30pm
Break and Exhibit Tour
2:30-4:00pm
Wrap-up
Edi Sonntag
Rachel Mifsud (HRM), Bill Flanagan (GVSU), YuMan Lee
(MNFI)
David Mifsud/Edi Sonntag